Large Earthquake Rattles Alaska

A strong earthquake jolted the Anchorage, Alaska, area Thursday morning, toppling bottles and other items off shelves and sending frightened people in the street but apparently causing no significant damage or injuries.

The 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck 81 miles northwest of Anchorage at 9:51 a.m. local time, according to preliminary estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey. Little damage was reported in part because the temblor took place 63 miles underground, said USGS seismologist Paul Caruso.